Description

When you stop and think about it, every facet of cycling has been touched by the brilliant hand of technology. And not surprisingly, the best keep getting better. Such is the case with the Giordana Trade FormaRed Carbon Bib Shorts. This year, we see Giordana shift its focus to striking the balance between compressive design and soft-to-the-touch comfort. Also, the carbon is more strategically located, and the fit is more dialed-in than ever.

Starting with the bulk of the shorts' construction, Giordana went with its compressive Shield Endurance fabric. With a certified Power Lycra composition weight of 240g/m2, the FormaRed Carbon (FRC) bib shorts have taken on a nearly medical compression level. To achieve this, the material features Giordana's new Super 40 generation weaving technology. This refers to Shield's 40 threads per centimeter (TPC), and as Giordana puts it, the highest prior thread count hovered around 36 TPC. This means that, compared to most competition, the Shield is softer, more conforming, and has a higher level of wicking capability. And remarkably, Shield achieves this at a lighter weight than most Lycra blends. Why is this important? Well, if you've worn compressive fabrics, you'll have notice that their heavy in comparison to traditional Lycra. So, Shield Endurance encompasses their key traits, like inhibiting muscle oscillation and promoting a positive circulation, without the detriment of a weighty, poorly-breathing composition.

Moving to the inner legs and seat panel, Giordana placed an even stronger fabric called Zaffiro. This material is a certified Power Lycra with a composition weight of 200g/m2. But, unlike HC-44, Zaffiro features a purposefully denser weave with Giordana's SUPER 40 construction technology. This guarantees a continuation of HC-44's aforementioned characteristics, only with a higher level of durability and friction-reduction at the highest points of saddle abrasion. Additionally, Giordana placed its new Ametista fabric around the waist as part of its Core Contour System. Again, we see a return of 200g/m2 Lycra, only now, Ametista is characterized by its woven-in carbon threads -- thus, the 'Carbon' in 'FormaRed Carbon.' With the carbon filament, material stretch is controlled, but not just in the supportive sense. Basically, the carbon reinforces the honeycomb-knit Lycra, making it lighter, yet stronger, and allowing it universally stretch in all directions, not just four-way. Additionally, the carbon fiber blocks out static and rogue atmospheric electrical interference for an increased anaerobic output and a delayed onset of fatigue.

As for the fit, the FRC benefits from Giordana's innovative contoured cut. Essentially, the bib shorts are created on a curve in order to clone your body in the cycling position. By doing this, abrasion is minimized, and fabric bunching and pinching is eliminated. To secure this position, Giordana incorporated its MicroQuad bib straps and AeroLite leg cuffs. MicroQuad features a differentiated stretch that anatomically regulates flexibility and movement. Additionally, this microfiber is highly-breathable and an efficient transporter of moisture. At the cuffs, the new AeroLite design uses a low-profile, seamless cuff that holds strong while maintaining an aerodynamic presence. And for further comfort, the entirety of the bib shorts have been constructed with four-needle flatlock stitched seams.

The bib shorts' chamois is one that Giordana touts as being the most advanced in the industry -- the Cirro OmniForm. We don't deal in absolutes, but we can say that it's the first chamois we've heard of with Aloe Vera particles directly infused into the threads of the microfiber. Aloe is not only a natural bacteria fighter, but its implementation in the fiber provides a cooling effect that protects and heals during activity. Below the skin layer, the Cirro has a 4mm-thick pad of waffled-texture expanding memory foam. The texture aids in ventilation by moving moisture to the perimeter of the chamois where accelerated evaporation can occur. The final layer of the chamois is a thick section of hand-sewn open cell padding with recessed channels for pressure relief. These technologies amount to a chamois that won't get wet and nasty 100 miles into a ride, let alone 20.

The Giordana Trade FormaRed Carbon Bib Shorts are available in five sizes from Small to XX-Large and in the colors Giordana Black/titanium, Giordana Black/white/red, Giordana Black/titanium/red, Giordana Black/fluo yellow, and Giordana White/red.

Here's what others have to say...

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Awesome Shorts

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

These are an awesome pair of shorts. I am 5-11 150 and ordered a medium. They use a much different form of grippers in the legs, and while they do ride up a little during the ride it's nothing major. The strap length in consistent with other brands and shorts I have worn.

These shorts are much tighter than others I have worn and are definitely a compression type fit. If you like a thicker pad these may not be for you, but I find them very comfortable.

Full disclaimer: I bought these shorts on sale for 75-80 dollars. I would never pay the full asking price for them, or any other 250+ dollar shorts for that matter.

Comment on Indy Cyclist's review:

Major disappointment

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

After using several Giordana silverline shorts, I was expecting great things from these, given the much higher price point However, the opposite turned out to be true. The straps are too narrow and dig into the shoulders, never staying in place, the legas are always rolling up, never giving comfortable feeling. Silverline are much better option and for half the price

Comment on rudp605410's review:

Top-tier Bibs

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Fit:
True to size

I wore these bib shorts, along with the Trade FormaRed Carbon jersey for the first time today on a 40 mile ride with about 4000 feet of climbing in full summer heat. The Black/titanium may not have been the best color choice for a hot day, but I'm still very pleased. I'm 5'11" 195, with a 42" chest and a 36" waist. The XL jersey and bibs fit me very well. There is enough length in both that a person several inches taller could easily wear them. The legs, chamois, stomach, and bib straps all stayed in place very well, requiring minimal adjustment during the ride. I felt like I spent less time searching for a comfortable position on my saddle that i have experienced with some lesser bibs. I did notice that the bib straps are a little less sophisticated on these bibs than on the regular FormaRed Carbon bibs, but I suppose that's the price of the cool graphics. These bibs should be paired with the Trade FormaRed Carbon jersey for a stylish, great-riding kit.